After a day of work, I look forward to escaping reality with some primetime shows. Ask me about a show and I’ve probably seen it at least once and if I haven’t, I can still tell you what it’s about or who stars in it. I don’t know. I just remember these things.

So back to the topic…TV execs always want to cancel great shows. Sometimes they do, but sometimes fans and the shows fight back. And they put up a great fight. Cast members tweet when to watch the show or that they are just as disappointed when a new episode is not airing. Sometimes viewing parties are thrown in their honor or petitions get started to save them.

Parenthood is one of those shows that always seems to be in jeopardy. Not sure why. It has all the elements of a great show. Good looking, awesome cast. Check! Family drama. Check! Dating drama. Baby drama. Check. Check. Okay… any drama you can probably think of. So why is it that NBC always wants to toss it aside? I think it’s one of the best shows on TV. The Bravermans become a family that you would love to be a part of. They have some problems, but what family doesn’t? After watching, you’ll want to chill with Crosby at The Luncheonette while listening to a band record or maybe grab a cup of coffee at Amber’s job then hang with her in her cool loft apartment. Or have dinner outside the main Braverman house under the dangling lights and end the night letting loose with a dance party.

I’m not going to name all of the characters because they’re a pretty big family. I’ll just name a few to give you a taste. Crosby Braverman, played by Dax Shepard, is the cool laid-back son of Camille and Zeek. He just started his own recording studio, “The Luncheonette”, with his big bro Adam and he is an adorable father to his son, Jabbar. If you thought Dax was just some dude that used to be on Punk’d with Ashton, his acting in Parenthood will totally prove you wrong. Funny and serious and cute – if he’s anything like his character, no wonder the sloth-loving Kristen Bell loves him. Max, played by Max Burkholder, is the child of Adam and Kristina Braverman. He plays a kid with autism. I just want to say, it always amazes me when a young kid can play such a complicated role and nail it.

My favorite character on the show is Mae Whitman’s role of Amber Holt. If you don’t know Mae, you should. She’s the cute little girl from a bunch of ’90s movies, including the president’s daughter in Independence Day and George Clooney’s kid in One Fine Day. Amber is the daughter of Sarah Braverman, played by Lauren Graham – the ultimate TV mom. Amber is a hipster-ish, chill girl with an “I don’t care” persona, but she really does care. She has heartwarming moments with family members and believe me, she will make you cry. She has this amazing acting ability that draws you in and makes you feel like you are part of the moment. Oh, and she can play guitar and sing, which was brilliantly used on the show! (Hopefully again sometime soon?)

Another show in jeopardy just premiered its 3rd season on the 14th. Cougar Town was surprisingly left off ABC’s fall schedule. Luckily for us, Cougar Town persevered. Bill Lawrence, the creator, alongside the cast and crew, did everything a show could to stay afloat. The actors had small guest appearances as extras on shows, like Grey’s Anatomy, Happy Endings and Castle, just to say that the CT cast was still on TV even when the show wasn’t on the air. Viewing parties were held across the country. Each party had a cast member or two, a writer, penny can battles and free booze. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

While Parenthood is about family, Cougar Town is about friendship – their own wine-drinking “cul-de-sac crew” family. The show really isn’t about cougars. I think only the first episodes were about that, but now they are stuck with the title. They replaced the “Welcome to” in the title sequence with jokes like, “(Still) Cougar Town” or “Badly Titled Cougar Town”. Once you get past that, the show isn’t about Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) chasing after young boys, you’ll see that it’s about a fun-loving group of friends.

The show is about the lives of Jules’ family and friends. Bobby is Jules’ ex husband, who has a Matthew McConaughey “duuuuude” mind-set and style. Travis is Bobby and Jules’ son, who tries to keep his parents in line while figuring out what he wants to do with his life. Ellie and Andy Torres are the neighbors and best friends. Andy has a super bromance with Bobby, which is similar to J.D. and Turk from Scrubs (another amazing Bill Lawrence show). They go apartment shopping together and get couples massages in Hawaii. I always seem to be saying Andy’s catch phrase, “C’monn”, even though most of the time the people I’m around don’t know what I’m talking about. Grayson is the “tiny eyes” neighbor, who went from man whore to Jules’ boyfriend as the seasons went on. Laurie is my favorite character, played by the fabulous Busy Philipps. She is the ditsy and awesome friend that always butts heads with Ellie and adds even more humor to the show. Laurie is a lovable idiot, but at times she surprises everyone showing she’s actually pretty wise.

After watching, you’ll want to grab a glass of wine, teach your friends how to play penny can, pull a “truth” gun on someone, and start singing your own rendition of “Morning Routine.” Also, if you were a fan of Scrubs or Friends, this show has a lot of special guests.

Both shows just happen to be on Tuesdays – don’t worry, they’re not during New Girl (another show I love)! Cougar Town is on ABC at 8:30PM and Parenthood is on NBC at 10PM. Enjoy!!

Let me know what you think! What are some of your favorite shows you want saved?

(P.S. If worse comes to worse and they are cancelled, read Scarlett Curtis’ article on how to cope. Hopefully, this won’t happen.)

Samantha Kirschberg is a Long Islander living in New York City. She was once nicknamed Nelly (the rapper with the band-aid, not Furtado) during the summer of ’05. Believer in jinxes and signs, beanies and hoodies, pineapple and pizza, puppies and snow days..among other things. One day she hopes to be married and have “You jump”/“I jump” friendship bracelets with her spouse. (That’s how much she loves Titanic.) You can follow her on Twitter or on her Tumblr.

I LOVE LOVE Parenthood!! It makes me ill to think that such a great show is always is trouble when so many shows that are horrible remain on the air. I hope everyone who loves this show will contact NBC and let them know what a big mistake they will be making if it does not return. I really think another network should pick it up if NBC is dumb enough to let it go…. Write NBC 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City CA 91608 (I like to write SAVE Parenthood ….renew Parenthood…all over the envelope!) CALL NBC 1.818.840.4444 and email them too!!!! YES! I feel the FANS can make a difference!! Thanks for writing this article!

http://www.facebook.com/jolynne.shane Jo-Lynne Shane

I love Parenthood. Best show on TV in my opinion. You’re making me want to watch Cougar Town. I hope it doesn’t’ get cancelled!!!

http://www.facebook.com/stefunnymaree Stephanie Anderson

Samantha – can we be BFFS? BECAUSE THIS ROCKED THE TRUTH. The only thing missing was Community. <3

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27610322 Samantha Kirschberg

Haha of course we can! And I agree Community is also awesome!

http://www.facebook.com/shaaaarpie 高田 アリックス

Lie to Me.

I’m still heartbroken it.

http://www.facebook.com/meralee727 Meredith Lee

I love Parenthood and Cougar Town….I was also really upset when the cancelled Mr. Sunshine which was a really good show, but they premiered it against American Idol. If you’re going to test out a new show, then don’t put it against American Idol and then be shocked when it doesn’t do well! Premiere in like September….when Idol isn’t on and then you could get better idea of it will do. They really did not give that show a chance….I felt so bad Matthew Perry. The man had to go back to rehab after Mr. Sunshine was cancelled…seriously. They didn’t Mr. Sunshine a chance and it was starting to get pretty good. I also hope they do not cancel Parenthood or Cougar Town. They’re awesome shows….

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=535905192 Jenna Carroll

I was really enjoying Perfect Couples and thought it was the funniest American Comedy on prime time TV in the UK. Olivia Munn and the cast were hilarious, but that was cancelled before the 1st season even finshed. So sad.

http://www.facebook.com/shaaaarpie 高田 アリックス

It was such a cute drama, and Olivia Munn is a sweetheart in real life too.

http://www.facebook.com/candicemacneale Candice MacNeale Lazecky

I love Parenthood as well! So many great characters:)

http://www.facebook.com/HollyFairy Holly Little

I will seriously die if they cancel Parenthood. I love it so very much.

http://www.facebook.com/lxerae Alexis Rae Demandante

if parenthood gets cancelled i will commit.

http://www.facebook.com/aaaroz Allison Aimee Aroz

Love these shows and really hope they survive! Also amazing shows I miss dearly Gilmore Girls, Pushing Daisies, Arrested Development! I wish all of them would come back!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002544817765 Kristin Eley

parenthood is my favorite show. so beautifully done.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=46002898 Ayesha Ali

I totally agree with you about Parenthood! That show pulls at my heart strings every week! Last night, I cried for a long time thinking about Julia. An then my heart was warmed by Crosby’s storyline and Amber’s as well. You’re right about Mae Whitman. She’s a gem. I just can’t bear the thought of that show being cancelled. Thanks for highlighting the talents on this show.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27610322 Samantha Kirschberg

Yes..the storylines are too good for them to throw it aside! Thanks for reading!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=608525524 Stephanie Babet

I’m in the UK and only managed to find an episode of Parenthood showing as I was channel flicking yesterday! This show absolutely fills the Lorelai Gilmore shaped hole in my heart, pleeeeeeeeeeease don’t cancel it. Whilst we’re at it, please don’t cancel Parks and Recreation (I’m yet to see it, but want to so bad), Criminal Minds, Grey’s and Bones. Also, Channel 4, bring Nathan back to Misfits please, he totally made that show perfect!

Anonymous

I had no idea this sucks I lov ethat show.

http://www.facebook.com/semason83 Sarah Elizabeth Mason

The people on top suck. They only care about one thing and that is money. So if a really good show is put up against something like The Bachelor or Wipeout its going to lose because those shows are virtually free to make (compared to financing a scripted shows with high-paid stars in them). I couldn’t believe they were actually talking about cancelling 30 Rock…I’m mean, come on, seriously? I have to agree with my peeps about Pushing Daisies, Freaks and Geeks, and Gilmore Girls (although, it did have a good run). I cannot, however, agree about Cougar Town and Parenthood. Cougar Town: because I just leave feeling, ‘Eh”, and Parenthood because, well, I’ve never seen it. Let me explain myself. Every time I see it pop up on HuluPlus I look at it for a few seconds then choose to watch old Charlie Chaplin movies instead. Sorry fans of the show. Maybe they should have marketed it better or something, but I’m just not interested. I would probably love it if I gave it a chance but it just looks too much like Brothers & Sisters…which I hated. Maybe I’ll get really bored one of these days and give it a chance…until then, yay for Raising Hope and New Girl getting renewed!!!

http://www.facebook.com/semason83 Sarah Elizabeth Mason

OMG! I almost forgot about my favorite shows of all time (which I own on dvd)…Roswell and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman!!! I was just graduating jr. high when I found out L&C was being cancelled in 1997. I cried…literally.

http://www.facebook.com/caitlinalice Caitlin Gilbert

It’s all about the moneyyyyy, that’s why. But I agree, Parenthood and Cougar Town are the best!

http://www.facebook.com/mallorysara Sara Mallory

if they cancel Parenthood, I will be very very mad/sad

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=793185451 Leigh Clouse

Freaks and Geeks!! So wrong that there’s only one season.

http://www.facebook.com/zurichko Christina Martinez

I don’t understand why tv execs are so quick to use the chopping block on amazing shows. I loved Freaks and Geeks but it was cancelled, it was such a great show! I’m not feeling too bad for the actors involved though because I hear that James Franco kid is going places…also Seth Rogen….and Busy Phillips…

http://www.facebook.com/elena.hasiotis Elena Hasiotis

did anyone watch mercy last year (or maybe 2) on NBC? that was amazing as well and canceled. If they cancel parenthood i will be so, so very sad. that show has so much win.

HelloGiggles is a positive online community for women (although men are always welcome!) covering DIY and crafting projects, beauty, friendship, sex & relationships, pop culture, pets, television & movies, nostalgia, fandom, tips on savvy and stylish living meant to inspire a smile. Founded by Zooey Deschanel, Molly McAleer and Sophia Rossi. Reader contributions are welcome and published daily.